Friends of Eater Name Their Restaurant Breakups of 2013

Restaurant Bea [Photo: S. Pratt / ESEA]

Today in Eater's ongoing end of year survey, it's time to analyze where the Seattle food scene (and/or its patrons) went astray in 2013. We asked a group of food writers, seasoned eaters and other industry types crucial questions ranging from Biggest Dining Surprises to Restaurant Standbys and Top Newcomers. Now, Restaurant Breakups.

Readers, please feel free to add your thoughts to the comments.

Allison Scheff, food & dining editor at Seattle Magazine:

None I can think of!

Naomi Bishop, freelance food writer, The Gastrognome:

I fell in love with, then had to break up with Radiator Whiskey. I still think the cocktails are amazing and the food is phenomenal, but damn it, so does everyone else! I was so pleased to have a great bar with great cocktails, but the frat party crowd that has infested it keeps me away.

Nicole Sprinkle, food editor at Seattle Weekly:

Skillet Diner. Everything sounds good, but nothing really blows me away. At the end of the day, it's still eggs and pancakes and hash and mac n cheese — none of which I'd bother to recommend to anyone.

The Surly Gourmand, curmudgeon:

I don't know if the Tug counts as a restaurant, though they technically do serve deep fried and microwaved Sysco commodities, but I'm fucking sick of them. I've always had a love/hate relationship with the Tug, much like your mom, but when I lived in West Seattle it was at least a marriage of convenience: it was near my house and I could drop in and desecrate the jukebox with Morbid Angel's entire oeuvre and get some jello shots and a pitcher of PBR. True, we had some good times, like when this guy regaled me with an impromptu freestyle rap about Ron Paul and offered me a bag of cocaine he pulled out of his tighty whiteys. But now, every time I walk in the door there's always karaoke going on. I HATE karaoke. ESPECIALLY karaoke at the Tug, which is managed by a dude with absurdly tiny arms, colorfully known (to me at least) as "Chocolate T-Rex." So fuck you, the Tug. It's over.

Julia Wayne, freelance writer, Eater Seattle contributor:

A new cocktail bar that shall not be named where I have had nothing but insane, jaw-dropping service misses, no matter what day, time, party size, bartender/server, or drink I order. At first, it was kind of funny, but there are just too many great restaurants and bars to hang out in for that kind of shit.

Bryce Lathrop, founder of White Moustache Urban Adventure Co.:

Restaurant Bea. I am anxious to see what Ethan does and how the neighborhood adopts him.

Jen Chiu, Roll With Jen:

I haven't had to break up with any restaurants, but I don't get to Kedai Makan as much as I'd like. Since I don't feel like dealing with evening parking in Capitol Hill, that place is like my forbidden fruit. Every time I head there, I order everything on the menu and stuff myself silly.

Rachel Belle, radio personality at KIRO 97.3 AM and Open Wide columnist at Eater:

I have spent the year crying porky, tonkotsu tears over the lack of decent ramen shops in our city. I have gone through two breakups this year, due to stringy meat, watery broths and overcooked eggs. Then sweet Showa, with it's pork belly char-shu and perfectly soft boiled eggs, unexpectedly broke up with ME when it closed its doors, therefore depriving me of late night noodle booty calls forevermore.

Julien Perry, editor at Eater Seattle:

I haven't broken up with any restaurants (that I will admit in print), but I am "taking a break" from several, since I recently moved from West Seattle to Ballard. Gone are my regular visits to Marination ma kai, Brass Tacks and Gastropod, which I wish I had taken more proximity advantage of when I lived nearby. I will say that I rarely want to nurture a restaurant relationship that lacks decent wine by the glass options, at least one good salad, and/or harsh lighting/sterile ambience.